United Like Never Before
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United like never before. An unprecedented year of giving, responding and perseverance. REPORT TO THE 2020 COMMUNITY JULY 2019–JUNE 2020 Dear friends, There is no sugar-coating the events of this Our goal at United Way is to anticipate a year. We continue to be tested like never rapidly changing environment to meet human before, and most of us probably look forward needs in every corner of our region. We must to enthusiastically flipping the calendar. continue to respond to suffering and economic uncertainty, encourage recovery and reimagine But before we do, we need to pause and reflect what the new normal can look like for our most on where we are today, and how we must do vulnerable communities. better going forward. Because in truth, far too many of our neighbors were struggling before We must also address the financial health of COVID-19 and its economic consequences. our agency partners, as demand for human And the year ahead will present new and services continue to swell. Our agencies have deepening challenges for our entire region. been doing tireless work, and United Way has partnered with them to adapt and collaborate Here’s what inspires us most: In the first Bobbi Watt Geer, President and CEO to continue to provide essential services. few months of the pandemic, there was United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania an unmistakable surge in empathy and So at this crucial point in time, what is the state compassion throughout our community. of United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania? Perhaps it was because we all got an The network of generous corporate partners unpleasant taste of what it feels like to be we’ve built over the decades is stronger than isolated and cut-off from society and worried ever. Our staff and volunteers have soldiered about our health and financial well-being. through the crises and continue to deliver Because many of us know someone who’s results. And even as the systems we’ve put lost a family member to the virus, or a job into place have been strained, they have due to the economic crisis. Because all of proven to be resilient and highly effective. our students were struggling to get a Thank you for your support of United Way, quality education. especially this year. Truly, we have never Let’s hope those painful emotions fade, felt more… United! but also remind us of the daily challenges so many of our neighbors faced—even in the best of times. Rich Harshman, Chair, Board of Directors United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania 2 | UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWESTERN PA 2020 Report to the Community July 2019–June 2020 UNITED WAY DIRECTLY IMPACTS EVERY PART OF OUR COMMUNITY. UNITED WAY DIRECTLY United For People IMPACTS EVERY PART With Disabilities helped 5,698 people OF OUR COMMUNITY with disabilities live with United For Seniors helped greater independence through 51,378 older residents live safely and job training, competitive independently as well as support the employment opportunities vital work of caregivers. and social connection. R N FO $1.3 IO H M LL IT FO ILL MI E W R S IO 1 PL IES EN N $ O LIT IO PE BI RS SA DI United for Children United for Families helps 110,898 impacts 242,796 kids from early financially F $ childhood N S O 4 struggling E O R . I I 2 development L families dealing L I C M L through high H I with issues such M I This past year, I L A M L school, enabling L F D as homelessness I 5 O . R them to succeed R $32.9 million 7 N and hunger. E O $ N academically F went back into our as well as in life. community to impact lives. F $ F R E O 7 I 3 O L R 3 F E V T N R O H IO IS L O L U U L IS Since the COVID-19 N S I R T A M C pandemic began, EE N .1 9 More than 17,000 R D 4 -1 United Way has been IN $ D people engaged in G IV helping to lead our region’s CO initiatives that create response efforts, working opportunites for hands-on closely with local government, volunteerism that directly foundation, corporation impacts people in $14.1 MILLION and other nonprofit need. DESIGNATED leaders to address basic needs and other DOLLARS TO critical issues. 3400+ HUMAN SERVICES AGENCIES 501(c)(3). UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWESTERN PA 2020 Report to the Community July 2019–June 2020 | 3 PROVIDING CRISIS RELIEF ACROSS THE REGION BUTLER COUNTY* • Food Requests +86% • Employment/Income Requests +164% • Healthcare Service Requests +190% ARMSTRONG COUNTY* • Food Requests +115% BUTLER • Employment/Income Requests +88% • Healthcare Service Requests +206% ARMSTRONG • Provided 250,00 meals to students and families who WESTMORELAND COUNTY* depended on school meals • Food Requests +142% • Established a food transportation network serving over • Employment/Income Requests +91% 10 counties to distribute meals, PPE and other basic • Healthcare Service Requests +231% ALLEGHENY necessities • Assisted more than 1,500 individuals who lost wages and faced disruption of essential services due to COVID-19 WESTMORELAND through United Way’s Emergency Basic Needs (EBN) network. • Delivered 50,000+ meals to school-aged youth to close the meal gap caused by closure of summer programs FAYETTE COUNTY* ALLEGHENY COUNTY* • Food Requests +83% • Employment/Income Requests +77% • Food Requests +128% FAYETTE • Employment/Income Requests +89% • Healthcare Service Requests +76% • Healthcare Service Requests +688% *SOURCE: Data obtained through PA 2-1-1 Southwest 4 | UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWESTERN PA 2020 Report to the Community July 2019–June 2020 2020 IMPACT HIGHLIGHTS: BEYOND COVID-19 MORE THAN 579,000+ LIVES IMPACTED.* The pandemic hit and disrupted our entire society, but our impact was large even in the beginning of 2020. In the wake of COVID-19, United Way continued to address the big issues facing our community while most of the world was in lockdown. Here are just a few of the noteworthy impacts we achieved for our most vulnerable populations. UNITED FOR UNITED FOR FINANCIALLY UNITED FOR SENIORS UNITED FOR PEOPLE CHILDREN STRUGGLING FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS WITH DISABILITIES • Provided 57,847 children with safe, • Answered requets for help from • Helped 30,849 seniors meet basic • Helped 766 people with disabilities enriching after-school programs. 146,732 people in need through needs including food and safe in their job search (560 gained • Provided mentors, coaches and PA 2-1-1 Southwest housing employment through the career youth leaders with programs and • Helped 3,173 women navigate • Provided 16,000 rides for seniors transition project) tools to promote caring and healthy an unexpected crisis and avoid needing transportation to grocery • In the last year, 254 people with relationships for 1,978 children, financial instability stores and medical appointments disabilities were able to live in their so they can grow into successful • Assisted 6,722 veterans with basic • Developed tools and resources homes due to support maintaining adults needs including transportation, for 20,000 caregivers to help safe and accessible housing. • Improved attendance and test food and employment them cope with the stress of • Advocated to reduce employment scores with programs that balancing work and caregiving barriers for people with disabilities encouraged 12,401 students responsibilities resulting in two significant to stay in school and succeed legislative wins *Estimated total reflects people served via Impact Fund, initiatives and contributor choice. UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWESTERN PA 2020 Report to the Community July 2019–June 2020 | 5 A LIFELINE FOR THE COMMUNITY COVID-19 PA 2-1-1 Southwest Digitally evolving 2-1-1 is the hotline to In order to greatly expand access and connect people service, United Way began working with Pennsylvania | Southwest throughout our region Deloitte Consulting to enhance technology MARCH 16, 2020 to critical human services and response automation to allow our 2-1-1 This was the day when 2-1-1 took on a 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days operators to serve even more people in need. whole new role within our community. a year. Staffed by our highly trained resource This vital upgrade was made possible through As the magnitude of the pandemic navigators, 2-1-1 provides multiple ways for generous corporate donations from PNC, PPG, became clear, United Way rapidly people to access help, including calls, texts Dollar Bank, Koppers and Bank of America and live chats. expanded its contact center to assist the Charitable Foundation. Allegheny County Health Department Not surprisingly, this year has seen a 21 percent COVID-19 response and relay human increase in contacts over an already high- service information to the public. By volume previous year—many of them first-time callers who had never thought of themselves quickly training approximately 35 as needing assistance. During the height of existing staffers, United Way was able COVID-19 (March-April), daily calls seeking to handle the flood of calls and allow basic human needs spiked 140 percent. Overall county officials to concentrate on in-bound calls seeking assistance has doubled managing the public health crisis. over the past two years. 6 | UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWESTERN PA 2020 Report to the Community July 2019–June 2020 CONNECTING PEOPLE TO SOLUTIONS Pennsylvania | Southwest Donna is a senior citizen who lives Ivy is a single mother who lives in Westmoreland Warren lives alone in his Pittsburgh independently in Butler County. Her existing County. Although still technically employed, neighborhood on a small fixed income. He has health issues have made her compromised, like so many others her hours had been no access to transportation.